Sit-In

To borrow Seinfeld's style for a moment, what is the deal with comics having to stand up? Can't they sit every once in a while? Don't they get tired from all that joke-telling? And why are they described as "stand-up comics" in the first place? I mean, we don't call waitresses "walk-around waitresses," do we? (Rimshot!) Well, apparently, there is a style of comedy that involves the luxury of sitting. It's called rakugo, and it's a Japanese comic style where one person plays multiple characters in his or her telling of a humorous story--and he or she does it all sitting down. Obviously, this is something you don't get to see every day, so it's kind of a big deal that you'll actually have a chance to catch a rakugo show 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman St. It's being brought to you by the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth and the featured performer is Katsura Kaishi, who has done more than 300 rakugo performances worldwide, including one at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Tickets are $15. Call the JASDFW at 214-342-2022 for more info.
Tue., Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m., 2009